40 CFR 60.270a - Applicability and designation of affected facility.

Beta! The text on the eCFR tab represents the unofficial eCFR text at ecfr.gov.

§ 60.270a Applicability and designation of affected facility.

(a) The provisions of this subpart are applicable to the following affected facilities in steel plants that produce carbon, alloy, or specialty steels: electric arc furnaces, argon-oxygen decarburization vessels, and dust-handling systems.

(b) The provisions of this subpart apply to each affected facility identified in paragraph (a) of this section that commences construction, modification, or reconstruction after August 17, 1983.

This is a list of United States Code sections, Statutes at Large, Public Laws, and Presidential Documents, which provide rulemaking authority for this CFR Part.

This final action is effective on February 1, 2016. The incorporation by reference of certain publications for part 63 listed in the rule is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as of February 1, 2016. The incorporation by reference of certain publications for part 60 listed in the rule were approved by the Director of the Federal Register as of June 24, 2008.

40 CFR Part 60

Summary

This action finalizes the residual risk and technology review conducted for the Petroleum Refinery source categories regulated under national emission standards for hazardous air pollutants (NESHAP) Refinery MACT 1 and Refinery MACT 2. It also includes revisions to the Refinery MACT 1 and MACT 2 rules in accordance with provisions regarding establishment of MACT standards. This action also finalizes technical corrections and clarifications for the new source performance standards (NSPS) for petroleum refineries to improve consistency and clarity and address issues related to a 2008 industry petition for reconsideration. Implementation of this final rule will result in projected reductions of 5,200 tons per year (tpy) of hazardous air pollutants (HAP) which will reduce cancer risk and chronic health effects.

2015-11-13; vol. 80 # 219 - Friday, November 13, 2015

80 FR 70179 - Source Determination for Certain Emission Units in the Oil and Natural Gas Sector; Oil and Natural Gas Sector: Emission Standards for New and Modified Sources; Review of New Sources and Modifications in Indian Country: Federal Implementation Plan for Managing Air Emissions From True Minor Sources Engaged in Oil and Natural Gas Production in Indian Country

The public comment period for the three proposed rules published in the Federal Register on September 18, 2015 (80 FR 56579, 80 FR 56593, and 80 FR 56553), is being extended. Written comments must be received on or before December 4, 2015.

40 CFR Part 49, 51, 52, 60, 70, and 71

Summary

On September 18, 2015, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) proposed three rules titled, “Source Determination for Certain Emission Units in the Oil and Natural Gas Sector,” “Oil and Natural Gas Sector: Emission Standards for New and Modified Sources,” and “Review of New Sources and Modifications in Indian Country: Federal Implementation Plan for Managing Air Emissions from True Minor Sources Engaged in Oil and Natural Gas Production in Indian Country.” The EPA is extending the comment period on the three proposed rules that was scheduled to close on November 17, 2015. The EPA has received several letters from trade and business organizations, states and tribes requesting additional time to review and comment on the three proposed rule revisions.

Comments must be received on or before December 21, 2015. Public hearing. If anyone contacts us requesting to speak at a public hearing by November 13, 2015, a public hearing will be held on November 23, 2015. If you are interested in attending the public hearing, contact Ms. Melanie King at (919) 541-2469 or king.melanie@epa.gov to verify that a hearing will be held.

40 CFR Part 60

Summary

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is proposing amendments to the standards of performance for stationary compression ignition (CI) internal combustion engines to allow manufacturers to design the engines so that operators can temporarily override performance inducements related to the emission control system for stationary CI internal combustion engines operating during emergency situations where the operation of the engine or equipment is needed to protect human life, and to require compliance with Tier 1 emission standards during such emergencies. The EPA is also proposing to amend the standards of performance for certain stationary CI internal combustion engines located in remote areas of Alaska.

The EPA will be holding four public hearings on the proposed federal plan to accept oral comments. The hearings will be held: 1. November 12-13, 2015 in Pittsburgh, PA. 2. November 16-17, 2015, in Denver, Colorado. 3. November 18-19, 2015 in Washington, DC. 4. November 19-20, 2015 in Atlanta, Georgia. The first hearing day in all locations will begin at 9:00 a.m. (local time) and will conclude at 8:00 p.m. (local time). The second hearing day in all locations will begin at 9:00 a.m. (local time) and conclude at 5:00 p.m. (local time).

40 CFR Parts 60, 62, and 78

Summary

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is announcing four public hearings to be held on the proposed “Federal Plan Requirements for Greenhouse Gas Emissions from Electric Utility Generating Units Constructed on or before January 8, 2014; Model Trading Rules; Amendments to Framework Regulations.”

In this action, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is establishing final emission guidelines for states to follow in developing plans to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from existing fossil fuel-fired electric generating units (EGUs). Specifically, the EPA is establishing: Carbon dioxide (CO 2 ) emission performance rates representing the best system of emission reduction (BSER) for two subcategories of existing fossil fuel-fired EGUs—fossil fuel-fired electric utility steam generating units and stationary combustion turbines; state-specific CO 2 goals reflecting the CO 2 emission performance rates; and guidelines for the development, submittal and implementation of state plans that establish emission standards or other measures to implement the CO 2 emission performance rates, which may be accomplished by meeting the state goals. This final rule will continue progress already underway in the U.S. to reduce CO 2 emissions from the utility power sector.

Comments. Comments must be received on or before January 21, 2016. Public Hearing. The EPA will hold public hearings on the proposal. Details will be announced in a separate Federal Register document.

40 CFR Parts 60, 62, and 78

Summary

In this action, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is proposing a federal plan to implement the greenhouse gas (GHG) emission guidelines (EGs) for existing fossil fuel-fired electric generating units (EGUs) under the Clean Air Act (CAA). The EGs were proposed in June 2014 and finalized on August 3, 2015 as the Carbon Pollution Emission Guidelines for Existing Stationary Sources: Electric Utility Generating Units (also known as the Clean Power Plan or EGs). This proposal presents two approaches to a federal plan for states and other jurisdictions that do not submit an approvable plan to the EPA: a rate-based emission trading program and a mass-based emission trading program. These proposals also constitute proposed model trading rules that states can adopt or tailor for implementation of the final EGs. The federal plan is an important measure to ensure that congressionally mandated emission standards under the authority of the CAA are implemented. The proposed federal plan is related to but separate from the final EGs. The final EGs establish the best system of emission reduction (BSER) for applicable fossil fuel-fired EGUs in the form of a carbon dioxide (CO 2 ) emission performance rate for steam-fired EGUs and a CO 2 emission performance rate for natural gas-fired combined cycle (NGCC) units, and provide guidance and criteria for the development of approvable state plans. The purpose of the proposed federal plan is to establish requirements directly applicable to a state's affected EGUs that meet these emission performance levels, or the equivalent statewide goal, in order to achieve reductions in CO 2 emissions in the case where a state or other jurisdiction does not submit an approvable plan. The stringency of the emission performance levels established in the final EGs will be the same whether implemented through a state plan or a federal plan. The EPA is also proposing enhancements to the CAA section 111(d) framework regulations related to the process and timing for state plan submissions and EPA actions. The EPA intends to finalize both the rate-based and mass-based model trading rules in summer 2016.

Comments on the proposed rule published September 8, 2015 (80 FR 54146) must be received on or before December 9, 2015.

40 CFR Parts 51, 60, 61, and 63

Summary

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is extending the comment period for the proposed rule titled, “Revisions to Test Methods, Performance Specifications, and Testing Regulations for Air Emission Sources,” that was published in the Federal Register on September 8, 2015. The 60-day comment period in the proposed rule is scheduled to end on November 9, 2015. The extended comment period will close on December 9, 2015. The EPA recently added a technical justification to the docket for the revision in the proposed rule regarding Subpart JJJJ of Part 60 (Standards of Performance for Stationary Spark Ignition Internal Combustion Engines). We also added background information to support our reasoning for soliciting comment about Method 7E stratification. Therefore, the EPA is extending the comment period to allow the public additional time to submit comments and supporting information on these and other aspects of the proposed rule.

The public hearing will be held on October 8, 2015, in Research Triangle Park. Please refer to SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION for additional information on the public hearing.

Summary

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is announcing a public hearing for the proposed rule titled, “Revisions to Test Methods, Performance Specifications, and Testing Regulations for Air Emission Sources,” that was published in the Federal Register on September 8, 2015. The hearing will be held in Research Triangle Park, North Carolina. The EPA is proposing technical and editorial corrections and revisions to regulations related to source testing of emissions. The EPA is proposing to make corrections and updates to testing provisions that contain inaccuracies and outdated procedures, and to provide alternatives to existing testing regulations. The revisions will improve the quality of data and provide testers flexibility to use recently-approved alternative procedures. Many of the changes were suggested by testers and other end-users and will not impose new substantive requirements on source owners or operators.

Comments. Comments must be received on or before November 17, 2015. Under the Paperwork Reduction Act(PRA), comments on the information collection provisions are best assured of consideration if the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) receives a copy of your comments on or before November 17, 2015. The EPA will hold public hearings on the proposal. Details will be announced in a separate announcement.

40 CFR Part 60

Summary

This action proposes to amend the new source performance standards (NSPS) for the oil and natural gas source category by setting standards for both methane and volatile organic compounds (VOC) for certain equipment, processes and activities across this source category. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is including requirements for methane emissions in this proposal because methane is a greenhouse gas (GHG), and the oil and natural gas category is currently one of the country's largest emitters of methane. In 2009, the EPA found that by causing or contributing to climate change, GHGs endanger both the public health and the public welfare of current and future generations. The EPA is proposing both methane and VOC standards for several emission sources not currently covered by the NSPS and proposing methane standards for certain emission sources that are currently regulated for VOC. The proposed amendents also extend the current VOC standards to the remaining unregulated equipment across the source category and additionally establish methane standards for this equipment. Lastly, amendments to improve implementation of the current NSPS are being proposed which result from reconsideration of certain issues raised in petitions for reconsideration that were received by the Administrator on the August 16, 2012, final NSPS for the oil and natural gas sector and related amendments. Except for the implementation improvements and the setting of standards for methane, these amendments do not change the requirements for operations already covered by the current standards.

Comments must be received on or before November 9, 2015. Public Hearing. If anyone contacts the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) by September 18, 2015 requesting to speak at a public hearing, a hearing will be held on October 8, 2015.

40 CFR Parts 51, 60, 61, and 63

Summary

This action proposes technical and editorial corrections and revisions to regulations related to source testing of emissions. This proposed rule will make corrections and updates to testing provisions that contain inaccuracies and outdated procedures, and provide alternatives to existing testing regulations. These revisions will improve the quality of data and provide testers flexibility to use recently-approved alternative procedures. Many of these changes were suggested by testers and other end-users, and they will not impose new substantive requirements on source owners or operators.

2015-08-31; vol. 80 # 168 - Monday, August 31, 2015

80 FR 52426 - Notice of Final Approval for the Operation of Pressure-Assisted Multi-Point Ground Flares at The Dow Chemical Company and ExxonMobil Chemical Company and Notice of Receipt of Approval Request for the Operation of a Pressure-Assisted Multi-Point Ground Flare at Occidental Chemical Corporation

The AMEL for the MPGF at Dow's Propane Dehydrogenation Plant and Light Hydrocarbons Plant located at its Texas Operations site in Freeport, Texas, and ExxonMobil's Olefins Plant in Baytown, Texas, and Plastics Plant in Mont Belvieu, Texas are approved and effective August 31, 2015. Comments. Written comments on the AMEL request from OCC for their MPGF in Ingleside, Texas, or on the framework for streamlining future MPGF AMEL requests must be received on or before October 15, 2015. Public Hearing. Regarding the OCC MPGF in Ingleside, Texas, or the framework for streamlining future MPGF AMEL requests, if requested by September 8, 2015, we will hold a public hearing on September 15, 2015, from 1:00 p.m. [Eastern Standard Time] to 8:00 p.m. [Eastern Standard Time] in Corpus Christi, Texas. We will provide details on the public hearing on our Web site at: http://www.epa.gov/ttn/atw/groundflares/groundflarespg.html. To be clear, a public hearing will not be held unless someone specifically requests that the EPA hold a public hearing regarding the OCC MPGF or the framework for streamlining future MPGF AMEL requests. Please contact Ms. Virginia Hunt of the Sector Policies and Programs Division (E143-01), Office of Air Quality Planning and Standards, Environmental Protection Agency, Research Triangle Park, NC 27711; telephone number: (919) 541-0832; email address: hunt.virginia@epa.gov; to request a public hearing, to register to speak at the public hearing or to inquire as to whether a public hearing will be held. The last day to pre-register in advance to speak at the public hearing will be September 14, 2015.

40 CFR Parts 60, 61 and 63

Summary

This notice announces our approval of the Alternative Means of Emission Limitation (AMEL) requests for the operation of multi-point ground flares (MPGF) at The Dow Chemical Company's (Dow) Propane Dehydrogenation Plant and Light Hydrocarbons Plant located at its Texas Operations site in Freeport, Texas, and the ExxonMobil Chemical Company (ExxonMobil) Olefins Plant in Baytown, Texas, and its Plastics Plant in Mont Belvieu, Texas. This approval notice also specifies the operating conditions and monitoring, recordkeeping, and reporting requirements for demonstrating compliance with the AMEL that these facilities must follow. In addition, this notice solicits comments on an all aspects of an AMEL request from Occidental Chemical Corporation (OCC) in which long-term MPGF burner stability and destruction efficiency have been demonstrated on different pressure-assisted MPGF burners that OCC has proposed for use in controlling emissions at its Ingleside, Texas, ethylene plant. Lastly, this notice presents and solicits comments on all aspects of a framework of both MPGF burner testing and rule-specific emissions control equivalency demonstrations that we anticipate, when followed, would afford us the ability to approve future AMEL requests for MPGF in a more efficient and streamlined manner.

2015-08-27; vol. 80 # 166 - Thursday, August 27, 2015

80 FR 51991 - Source Determination for Certain Emission Units in the Oil and Natural Gas Sector; Oil and Natural Gas Sector: Emission Standards for New and Modified Sources; and Review of New Sources and Modifications in Indian Country: Federal Implementation Plan for Managing Air Emissions From True Minor Sources Engaged in Oil and Natural Gas Production in Indian Country

Two public hearings will be held at different locations on September 23, 2015, and one public hearing will be held on September 29, 2015.

40 CFR Parts 49, 51, 52, 60, 70, and 71

Summary

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is announcing three public hearings to be held for three proposed rules titled, “Source Determination for Certain Emission Units in the Oil and Natural Gas Sector,” “Oil and Natural Gas Sector: Emission Standards for New and Modified Sources,” and “Review of New Sources and Modifications in Indian Country: Federal Implementation Plan for Managing Air Emissions from True Minor Sources Engaged in Oil and Natural Gas Production in Indian Country.” Two hearings will be held on September 23, 2015, simultaneously—one in Denver, CO, and one in Dallas, TX. One hearing will be on September 29, 2015, in Pittsburgh, PA.

Comments. Comments must be received on or before October 26, 2015. Under the Paperwork Reduction Act (PRA), comments on the information collection provisions are best assured of consideration if the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) receives a copy of your comments on or before September 28, 2015. Public Hearing. If anyone contacts the EPA requesting a public hearing by September 1, 2015, the EPA will hold a public hearing on September 11, 2015 from 1:00 p.m. (Eastern Standard Time) to 5:00 p.m. (Eastern Standard Time) at the location in the ADDRESSES section. If no one contacts the EPA requesting a public hearing to be held concerning this proposed rule by September 1, 2015, a public hearing will not take place. Information regarding whether or not a hearing will be held will be posted on the rule's Web site located at http://www.epa.gov/ttnatw01/landfill/landflpg.htm. Please contact Ms. Aimee St. Clair at (919) 541-1063 or at stclair.aimee@epa.gov to register to speak at the hearing. The last day to pre-register to speak at the hearing will be September 8, 2015.

40 CFR Part 60

Summary

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is proposing a new subpart that updates the Emission Guidelines and Compliance Times for Municipal Solid Waste Landfills (Emission Guidelines). The EPA determined that it was appropriate to review the landfills Emission Guidelines based on changes in the landfills industry since the Emission Guidelines were promulgated in 1996. The EPA's review of the Emission Guidelines for municipal solid waste (MSW) landfills applies to landfills that accepted waste after November 8, 1987, and commenced construction, reconstruction, or modification on or before July 17, 2014. Based on its initial review, the EPA has determined that it is appropriate to propose revisions to the Emission Guidelines that reflect changes to the population of landfills and the results of an analysis of the timing and methods for reducing emissions. This action proposes to achieve additional reductions of landfill gas (LFG) and its components, including methane, by lowering the emissions threshold at which a landfill must install controls. This action also incorporates new data and information received in response to an advanced notice of proposed rulemaking and addresses other regulatory issues including surface emissions monitoring, wellhead monitoring, and the definition of landfill gas treatment system. In addition to considering information received in response to this proposed rule in evaluating potential changes to the Emission Guidelines, the EPA intends to consider the information in evaluating whether changes to the requirements for new sources beyond those in the July 17, 2014, proposed rule for new sources are warranted. The proposed revisions to the Emission Guidelines, once implemented through revised state plans or a revised federal plan, would reduce emissions of LFG, which contains both nonmethane organic compounds and methane. Landfills are a significant source of methane which is a potent greenhouse gas (GHG) pollutant. These avoided emissions will improve air quality and reduce public health and welfare effects associated with exposure to landfill gas emissions.

Comments. Comments must be received on or before October 26, 2015. Under the Paperwork Reduction Act (PRA), comments on the information collection provisions are best assured of consideration if the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) receives a copy of your comments on or before September 28, 2015. Public Hearing. If anyone contacts the EPA requesting a public hearing by September 1, 2015, the EPA will hold a public hearing on September 11, 2015 from 1:00 p.m. (Eastern Standard Time) to 5:00 p.m. (Eastern Standard Time) at the location in the ADDRESSES section. If no one contacts the EPA requesting a public hearing to be held concerning this proposed rule by September 1, 2015, a public hearing will not take place. Information regarding whether or not a hearing will be held will be posted on the rule's Web site located at http://www.epa.gov/ttnatw01/landfill/landflpg.htm. Please contact Ms. Aimee St. Clair at (919) 541-1063 or at stclair.aimee@epa.gov to register to speak at the hearing. The last day to pre-register to speak at the hearing will be September 8, 2015.

40 CFR Part 60

Summary

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is issuing this supplemental proposal for the Standards of Performance for Municipal Solid Waste (MSW) Landfills to address the nonmethane organic compound (NMOC) emission rate threshold at which an affected MSW landfill must install controls. The EPA is in the process of reviewing the Standards of Performance for MSW Landfills based on changes in the landfills industry since the standards were promulgated in 1996 and issued a proposed rulemaking on July 17, 2014. The EPA's review of the Standards of Performance for MSW Landfills (also referred to as the New Source Performance Standards or NSPS for MSW Landfills) applies to landfills that commenced construction, reconstruction, or modification after July 17, 2014. This document proposes to achieve additional reductions of landfill gas (LFG) and its components, including methane, through a lower emission threshold at which MSW landfills must install and operate a gas collection and control system (GCCS). This document supplements the proposed July 17, 2014, rulemaking by further lowering, from 40 megagrams per year (Mg/yr) to 34 Mg/yr, the proposed NMOC emissions threshold at which controls would be required. This change to the 2014 proposed threshold is based on additional data we have reviewed that indicate greater potential for reductions in methane emissions from these sources than we originally estimated that can be achieved at reasonable cost. Accordingly, the EPA is proposing to establish the NMOC emission rate threshold for installing a GCCS at 34 Mg/yr and is requesting comment specifically on whether this is appropriate. The EPA is also soliciting comment on the number of facilities that might ultimately become subject to proposed new subpart XXX. The EPA intends to consider the information received in response to this supplemental proposal prior to finalizing revised Standards of Performance for MSW Landfills. The EPA is seeking comment only on the two issues addressed by this supplemental proposal and the supplemental proposal does not otherwise reopen the comment period for the July 17, 2014, proposed rule.

This final action is effective on August 19, 2015. The incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in the rule is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as of August 19, 2015.

40 CFR Parts 60 and 63

Summary

This action finalizes the residual risk and technology review conducted for the Phosphoric Acid Manufacturing and Phosphate Fertilizer Production source categories regulated under national emission standards for hazardous air pollutants (NESHAP). In addition, this action finalizes an 8-year review of the current new source performance standards (NSPS) for five source categories. We are also taking final action addressing Clean Air Act (CAA) provisions related to emission standards for hazardous air pollutants, review and revision of emission standards, and work practice standards. The final amendments to the Phosphoric Acid Manufacturing NESHAP include: Numeric emission limits for previously unregulated mercury (Hg) and total fluoride emissions from calciners; work practice standards for hydrogen fluoride (HF) emissions from previously unregulated gypsum dewatering stacks and cooling ponds; clarifications to the applicability and monitoring requirements to accommodate process equipment and technology changes; removal of the exemptions for startup, shutdown, and malfunction (SSM); adoption of work practice standards for periods of startup and shutdown; and revised recordkeeping and reporting requirements for periods of SSM. The final amendments to the Phosphate Fertilizer Production NESHAP include: Clarifications to the applicability and monitoring requirements to accommodate process equipment and technology changes; removal of the exemptions for SSM; adoption of work practice standards for periods of startup and shutdown; and revised recordkeeping and reporting requirements for periods of SSM. The revised NESHAP for Phosphoric Acid Manufacturing facilities will mitigate future increases of Hg emissions from phosphate rock calciners by requiring pollution prevention measures. Further, based on the 8-year review of the current NSPS for these source categories, the EPA determined that no revisions to the numeric emission limits in those rules are warranted.

This action finalizes amendments to new source performance standards (NSPS) for the Oil and Natural Gas Sector. On March 23, 2015, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) re-proposed its definition of “low pressure gas well” for notice and comment to correct a procedural defect with its prior rulemaking that included this definition. The EPA also proposed to amend the NSPS to remove provisions concerning storage vessels connected or installed in parallel and to revise the definition of “storage vessel.” This action finalizes the definition of “low pressure gas well” and the amendments to the storage vessel provisions.

2015-07-27; vol. 80 # 143 - Monday, July 27, 2015

80 FR 44772 - National Emission Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants for the Portland Cement Manufacturing Industry and Standards of Performance for Portland Cement Plants

This action finalizes amendments to the National Emission Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants (NESHAP) for the Portland Cement Manufacturing Industry and Standards of Performance for Portland Cement Plants. On February 12, 2013, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) finalized amendments to the NESHAP and the new source performance standards (NSPS) for the Portland cement industry. Subsequently, the EPA became aware of certain minor technical errors in those amendments, and thus issued a proposal to correct these errors on November 19, 2014 (79 FR 68821). The EPA received 3 comments on the proposal. In response to the comments received and to complete technical corrections, the EPA is now issuing final amendments. In addition, consistent with the U.S. Court of Appeals to the DC Circuit's vacatur of the affirmative defense provisions in the final rule, this action removes those provisions. These amendments do not affect the pollution reduction or costs associated with these standards.

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is finalizing performance specifications and test procedures for hydrogen chloride (HCl) continuous emission monitoring systems (CEMS) to provide sources and regulatory agencies with criteria and test procedures for evaluating the acceptability of HCl CEMS. The final performance specification (Performance Specification 18) includes requirements for initial acceptance, including instrument accuracy and stability assessments. This action also finalizes quality assurance (QA) procedures for HCl CEMS used for compliance determination at stationary sources. The QA procedures (Procedure 6) specify the minimum QA requirements necessary for the control and assessment of the quality of CEMS data submitted to the EPA. This action establishes consistent requirements for ensuring and assessing the quality of HCl data measured by CEMS. The affected systems are those used for determining compliance with emission standards for HCl on a continuous basis as specified in an applicable permit or regulation. The affected industries and their North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) codes are listed in the SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION section of this preamble.